Closure for cans and like containers



y 1934- P. D. HARTOG CLO SURE FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed Dec. '7, 1932 Patented May 15, 1934 warren s'r Ares PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE FOR CANS AND LIKE CONTAINERS Delaware Application December 7, 1932, Serial No. 646,050

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to closures of a type particularly adapted for closing dispensing cans and like receptacles containing talcum powder, bath salts and similar materials. Within 5 the broad aspects of the invention, the present closure can also be employed in connection with collapsible tubes and the like such as might contain toothpaste, shaving soap, salves, etc. In general, the invention pertains to the type of closure shown in Reissue Patent No. 18,649, to Walther Kalb, wherein the closure element is permanently connected with the neck of the dispensing receptacle, and is reciprocated into open and closed position on this neck by a simple pushing or pulling motion of the closure element. The closure element is resiliently held in its open and closed positions by a snap spring preferably constructed in the form of a spring-buckling disc or washer, the outer edge of which moves with a .13 snap action across a neutral plane when this outer edge is pushed to a downwardly flexed position or pulled to an upwardly flexed position.

The closure element is operatively connected with this buckling spring, preferably having attachment around the outer peripheral edge thereof, whereby the closure element moves with this snap motion into open and closed positions, and is resiliently held in each of these positions by the spring tension of the disc. This general type of closure for cans, tubes and like containers possesses the advantages of preventing the closure element from becoming lost; or" enabling the container to be instantly opened or closed by a quick simple motion of the closure element; and of assuring a close fitting, airtight seal of the container when the closure element is in its closed position.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing container of the side delivery type, i. e., characterized by an improved relation of the spring actuated closure and improved relation of side delivery ports located in the neck of the container, whereby the contents are discharged from the sides of the neck. This side delivery construction is of particular advantage for dispensing talcum powder and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dispensing container characterized by a relation between the spring actuated closure element and the discharge ports whereby the opening of the closure element is efiected by inward or downward movement thereof relatively to the container, and the closing of said element is efiected by outward or upward movement relatively to the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dispensing neck for the container characterized by a conical portion which forms a seat for the spring actuated closure element.

Another object is to provide an improved mannor of anchoring or seating the inner edge of the spring-buckling disc on this neck portion.

Another object is to provide a more simple and. inexpensive construction wherein all of the parts consist of sheet metal stampings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detail description of a preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawing illustrating such embodiment:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (taken approximately on the plane of the line l1 of Figure 3) through the upper portion of the container, its dispensing neck, and the spring actuated closure element, this view being on an enlarged scale and showing the closure element in its closed position;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the closure element in its open position; and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional. view, taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

The container 6 is most typically representative of a can or carton for containing talcum. powder, etc., although, as previously stated, it may also be representative of a collapsible tube or the like for containing tooth paste, shaving cream, etc. The dispensing neck portion is designated '7 in its entirety; it comprises the lower attaching shell 70., the conical ring 72), and the end head '70. The conical ring 71) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced discharge ports 8, preferably in the form of slots. The closure element is designated 9, and the spring-buckling disc is designated 11.

The attaching shell 7a may be secured to the body 6 of the container in any suitable manner; in the preferred construction illustrated, the shell is provided with an outwardly extending rim or bead 14 formed by extending the metal outwardly and thence inwardly back upon itself, which rim or bead seats on the upper side of an inwardly directed flange 15 forming part of the container. The lower extremity of the attaching shell is spun or crimped outwardly against the under side of the flange 15, as indi cated at .16. The upper end of the attaching shell is bent inwardly and downwardly to form the internal cylindrical flange or wall 17. The top side of the bend establishes an external shoulder 18, on which the inner portion of the spring-buckling disc 11 seats.

The conical portion 71) of the neck has a. downwardly extending cylindrical flange or wall 19 at its lower extremity, which has a tight pressed fit within the cylindrical flange 17 of the lower attaching portion 7a. The upper edge of the conical portion 7b is provided with a grooved bead or flange 21 which is crimped or spun over the outer periphery of the end head 70. The central portion of said end head is preferably cupped or bowed upwardly.

The closure element 9 is in the form of a ring with its upper portion of curved or conical crosssection. The lower portion of said ring is formed with an internally grooved bead 24 which engages over the outer periphery of the springbuckling disc 11. If desired, this joint between the closure cap 9 and disc 11 may be crimped, spun or otherwise sealed so as to establish an airtight connection at this point. When the closure element or cap 9 is in its upper, closed position (Figure 1), the upper inner edge 26 thereof has line contact with the conical outer surface of the intermediate neck member '72), and this joint may also be arranged to establish a substantially airtight seal, if desired.

As will be well understood from the aforementioned Kalb patent, the snap spring disc 11 is distorted or shaped to have a conical bias, whereby the outer edge of this disc moves with a snap action across a neutral plane when this outer edge is pushed to a downwardly flexed position 'or pulled to an upwardly flexed position. To close the container, the outer periphery of the closure cap 9 is manually grasped and pulled upwardly or outwardly relatively to the container, for snapping the closure element up against the conical member 7?). In this closed position, the disc 11 is still exerting upward pressure against the closure element, whereby the edge 26 of said closure element is maintained resiliently pressed against the conical outer surface of the member 71). The conical form of the seating surface defined by said latter member and the line contact afforded by the edge 26 enables the closure element to adapt itself to any slight irregularities in the points of contact, for assuring a tight closure. To open the container, the outer periphery of the closure element is manually grasped and pushed inwardly or downwardly relatively to the container, snapping the disc 11 across its neutral plane, and resiliently holding the closure element in the open position illustrated in Figure 2. The contents of the container can then be readily shaken out through the side delivery openings 8.

der 18 and the conical outer surface of the member 71), being held against downward movement by said shoulder and being held against upward movement by the conical surface. In assembling the device, the disc is seated on the shoulder 18 and the cylindrical wall 19 of the conical portion is then forced through the disc and into the cylindrical rim 17, resulting in the disc being rigid- 1y held at its inner periphery without the necessity of any separate spinning or crimping operation. The two flanges 17 and 19 may be held together solely by a tight fit, or other suitable operations may be performed for preventing outward removal of the flange 19 from within the flange 1'7, such as turning the lower edge of the flange 19 into an outwardly extending lip underlying the flange 17, or crimping, spotting or otherwise securing these flanges together.

The construction is such as to make practicable the stamping and shaping of each of the parts from flat or tubular sheet metal stock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A container comprising a body provided with side delivery openings for discharging the contents at spaced points around said body, an external closure element for closing said delivery openings movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said closure element being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and an elastic snap device connecting said body with said closure element and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure element passes beyond its median or neutral position.

2. A container comprising a body provided with side delivery openings for discharging the contents at spaced points around the sides of said body, an external closure element for closing said delivery openings, movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said closure element being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and a spring-buckling disc mounted on the outside of said body and operatively connected with said closure element and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure element passes beyond its median or neutral position.

3. A container comprising a neck provided with side delivery openings for discharging the contents of the container at spaced points around said neck, an external closure member movable lengthwise of said neck for closing said delivery openings, said closure member being movable in an outward direction from said container to closed position and being movable in an inward direction toward said container to open position, and an elastic snap device connecting said neck with said closure member and operating to throw 1a the latter either to the open position or to the closed position as soon as the closure member passes beyond its median or neutral position.

4. A container comprising a neck provided with side delivery openings for discharging the contents at spaced points around said neck, a conical seating surface on said neck, an external closure element for closing said delivery openings, said closure member being movable lengthwise of said neck into and out of contact with said conical seating surface, and an elastic snap device connecting said neck with said closure member and operating to throw the latter either to the open position or to the closed position as soon as the closure member passes beyond its median or neutral position.

5. A container comprising a neck'provided with sidedelivery openings for discharging the contents of the container at spaced points around said. neck, a seating surface on said neck between said delivery openings and the outer end of said neck, an annular closure member encircling said neck, movable lengthwise thereof, and adapted to engage with said seating surface when in closed position, and an elastic snap device connecting said neck with said closure member and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure member passes beyond its median'or neutral position.

6. A container comprising a neck provided with a discharge opening, an external closure element for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said neck into open or closed position, a springbuckling disc having its outer portion operatively connected with said closure element, said neck including two members, and means for securing the inner portion of said disc to said neck comprising a shoulder on one of said members and a clamping surface on the other of said members, between which the inner portion of said disc is secured.

7. A container comprising a neck including a lower member and an upper member, said lower member being provided with an annular shoulder and said upper member comprising a lower portion secured within said lower member and comprising an upper portion having an outwardly flaring conical surface, discharge openings in said upper member, a spring-buckling disc having its inner periphery clamped between the shoulder on said lower member and the conical surface of said upper member, and an annular closure element connected with the outer peripheral portion of said disc and adapted, in its closed position, to engage with the conical surface of said upper member.

8. A container comprising a neck having a closed outer end, delivery openings around the sides of said neck, a conical seating surface on said neck flaring upwardly and outwardly from said openings, a buckling spring disc having its inner peripheral portion secured to said neck inwardly of said openings, and an external annular closure element connected with the outer peripheral portion of said disc, movable lengthwise of said neck into open or closed position, and adapted, its closed position, to engage with said conical seating surface.

9. A container comprising a neck having a closed outer end, delivery openings around the sides of said neck, a seating surface on said neck spaced outwardly from said openings, a buckling spring disc secured to said neck inwardly from said openings, and an external annular closure element connected with the outer portion of said disc movable outwardly into closed position in contact with said seating surface and movable inwardly into open position.

10. A container comprising a body provided with side delivery openings for side delivery of the contents of the container, a seating surface on said body projecting upwardly and outwardly from said openings, an external closure element closing said openings movable lengthwise of said body into open position or into closed position in contact with said seating surface, and resilient means for yieldingly holding said closure element in open or closed position.

11. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening adjacent to its outer end, an external closure element for closing said discharge opening, movable lengthwise of said body, said closure element being movable outwardly along said body to closed position and inwardly along said body to open position, and resilient means for yieldingly holding said closure element in open position and in closed position.

12. A container comprising a neck including upper and lower sheet metal members secured together, said neck having a discharge opening therein, an external closure element for closing said opening movable lengthwise of said neck into open or closed position, said closure element being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and an elastic snap device connecting said neck with said closure element and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure element passes beyond its median or neutral position.

13. In a container of the class described, the combination of a body, a dispensing neck comprising a sheet metal shell having connection with said body, said sheet metal shell having a discharge opening therein and including a seating surface, a closure element for said opening movable lengthwise of said neck and adapted to engage on said seating surface when in closed position, and a spring buckling disc having its inner peripheral portion connected to said neck and its outer peripheral portion connected to said closure element, said disc adapted to move with a snap motion across a neutral plane.

14. A container comprising a dispensing neck provided with a discharge opening, an external closure element for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said neck into open or closed position, said closure element being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, an elastic snap device connecting said container with said closure element and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure element passes beyond 120 its median or neutral position, and a deflecting surface on said neck disposed to project outwardly beyond said closure element when said closure element is in its open position.

15. A container comprising a dispensing neck 125 provided with a side discharge opening, an external closure element for controlling said discharge. opening, said closure element having a central opening therethrough, said neck com prising a portion extending through said central opening and protruding beyond said closure element when the latter is in either its open or closed position, said closure element being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction and movable inwardly along said neck to the discharge position and movable outwardly along said neck to closed position, in which closed position said closure element engages with said neck intermediate the ends thereof, and an elastic snap device connecting said neck with said closure element and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the closure element passes beyond its median or neutral position.

PAUL D. HARTOG. 

